The Alternatives to Fossil Fuels

Paper Summary:

Fossil fuels are heavily relied upon by the U.S. for energy needs. The three most common forms of fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas. This paper argues that, although fossil fuels are a major source of energy, newer and cleaner forms of energy such as wind, solar, and water are needed if we are to stop the damage being done to the environment and further strengthen the United States' energy security. The paper describes the types of alternative fuels that can be harnessed and how we benefit by using them as well as looks at the problems created by continued dependence on fossil fuels. The paper concludes that by making a strong effort made toward advancing the technologies for developing alternative fuels, lessening fossil fuel use and strengthening US energy security is a very attainable goal.

From the Paper:

"Currently the most viable of all alternative, renewable energy sources is hydropower. Hydropower is the process of harnessing the flow of water to produce electricity, better known as hydroelectricity. Just like concentrating solar power plants, hydroelectricity power plants turn turbines to generate electricity; the difference is instead of using steam to turn the turbines, falling water is used to turn them (U.S. Geological Survey, 2008). In this process a dam is built on a large river with a large drop in elevation to store the water, providing a mass of potential energy. When electricity is needed the dam releases the water through a passageway, which flows downward, turning a turbine connected to a generator as it flows to an intake river (Childress, 2009). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Adkins, D. (2004, April). Answer blowing in the wind? Indiana Business Magazine, 48(4), 64. Retrieved March 26, 2009, from EBSCOhost database.
• Brace, M. (2005). Hello sunshine. Geographical. 80(3), 56-60. Retrieved April 6, 2009, from EBSCOhost database.
• Chandler, D. (2008, December 3). Boosting the power of solar cells. MIT Tech Talk, 53(10), 4. Retrieved April 6, 2009, from http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/techtalk- 53-10.pdf.
• Childress, V. (2009, January). Energy perspective: is hydroelectricity green? Technology Teacher, Vol. 68 Issue 4, pp4-6. Retrieved March 26, 2009, from EBSCOhost database.
• Corwin, M. (1989). The oil spill heard 'round the country. Los Angeles Times, January 28, 1989, pp. I23. Retrieved November 30, 2008, from http://fiesta.bren.ucsb.edu/~dhardy-/1969_Santa_Barbara_Oil_Spill/Home.html

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